Something Fishy

Larry and I reserve our once-weekly meal out for Friday nights, and that usually means "going out for fish," as we did on a recent Friday night with friends.  That's because, in Wisconsin, nearly every restaurant, country club and tavern serves fish on Friday night.  If you mention "going out for fish" on Friday night to someone from outside of the state, you'll likely get a blank stare.  In Wisconsin, however, it's a weekly staple, and everyone knows what it means to "go out for fish."  The choices usually include cod or perch, broiled or batter-fried (if it's beer-batter, then you're really in Wisconsin).  Other options include plated entrees, buffets or all you can eat; baked potato, french fries or hash browns; salad bar or coleslaw.  I'm not sure where and when the Friday night fish fry began but I would believe that it has religious connections for those from the large ethnic groups that settled in our state's eastern communities and who maybe could not consume meat on Fridays during specific religious seasons.  They had easy access to fish, living along Lake Michigan.  Whatever the true origins, "going out for fish" has become a tradition in our state that people like Larry and me perpetuate every Friday night.  Yum.